Tuesday 21st December 2022 - Chew Valley Lake

 

This week as it was likely to be the final bird trip of the year the 3 Amigos decided to have a day trip to Chew Valley Lake as a few decent birds had been reported from there over the last week or so. With sandwiches and hot drinks to hand we set off and reaching Herriotts the spotting began with Mallard, Coot, Tufted Duck, Grey Wagtail quickly found. As we watched a few of our Bath RSPB group arrived and after a chat it was back to spotting with Great White Egret, Grey Heron, Pochard,  and Goldeneye all seen on the main lake. A male Pheasant was seen towards the ringing station, and back on the pond was a small flock of Shoveler and a Shelduck. In the left hand corner of the pond was a Moorhen, with a Chaffinch walking on some floating debris. Out on the pond were a few Mute Swans and a large quantity of Black Headed Gull and a single Common Gull, before we moved on a Woodpigeon and a Gadwall were added to our tally. Next stop Stratford hide, on the way we added Rooks, and driving down the lane to the hide a Blackbird was spotted. With all the rain we have had over the last 2 days it was no surprise to find the bottom of the lane and part of the car park flooded but shallow enough to drive through. In the field behind the car park was a Robin and a Pied Wagtail, I then heard a Skylark which flew over our heads followed by a few Starlings flying over the field. Once in the hide we found a large quantity of Teal and a flock of 40 Lapwings flying over. Out on the lake amongst the Coots and Tufted Ducks were a few Great Crested Grebes, and the odd Cormorant. Bryan found a 3 Snipe feeding close to the water’s edge.

Snipe - Stratford (Bath Birdwatcher)

Also Meadow Pipits were active in the same area. A Little Egret flew past and David spotted a couple of Reed Buntings in the tops of the reeds. Next stop Moreton here like Stratford were lots of Teal with more and more flying in while we were there. Lots of small bird action in the reeds with Long Tailed, Blue and Great Tits all seen plus the added bonus of a Goldcrest. As Bryan and I were scoping the lake David found a Cetti’s Warbler which had flown out of the reeds into a patch of water giving great views of a normally very secretive bird. Another Bryan spot was  2 female Wigeon amongst the teal. A flock of a dozen or so Linnets were in the top of a tree and flew down into the reed stems only to be seen occasionally hopping around. Next stop Herons Green where a Buzzard was in the field by the pond. Sitting in the car and having lunch we noted a Lesser Black Back, Herring and Great Black Back Gull on the lake. When we had finished lunch we set up the telescopes and started scanning the large flock of Coot in front of us and as I was scanning I heard the call of a Raven and looking up 2 flew over. Back to the scanning and I could not believe my eyes when I found the female Smew that was reported several days ago but not recently and had assumed it had gone but no there it was in front of us a bird I have not seen for a very long time, I will have to look out my pre 2011 records to find when I saw the last one. After letting other birders view the Smew through the scope I continued scanning and found a female Scaup another rarer duck species that we are lucky enough to get at Chew most years. As we continued scanning and chatting to other birders a flock of 10 Black Tailed Godwits flew over and in the fields opposite Bryan spotted some Cattle Egrets. Next sighting was found by David a lovely male Sparrowhawk which flew over the lake. Back to the large Coot flock where Bryan found in amongst them a Little Grebe. Nothing to add until we set off for the picnic area and in transit I added a Jackdaw that I missed earlier and a pair of Collared Doves new to the 3 of us. At the picnic area by the dam we spotted 5 Goosander only 1 being a male. Our final new day tick was a Red Kite at Marksbury.

Lapwing - CVL (Bath Birdwatcher)

Female Pheasants - Stratford (Bath Birdwatcher)

I have checked my records and found that the last time I saw a Smew was 2004, 18 years is a long time to wait for another sighting.

 

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